Piggy banks. They are adorable, but what do you do when they are full? You could take it to CoinStar, where you’ll pay an 11.9% service fee (fees may vary by location). OUCH! Losing 12 cents off every dollar? That’s more than my penny pinching heart can bear! You can use CoinStar for no fee gift cards….but they don’t have Disney cards! Besides, what if you need the cash? A gift card isn’t helpful then.
Instead, roll your own change! Yes, it takes some time- but it’s also fun to see those little coin pyramids piled up in the floor or on the table. You can get free paper coin rollers from most banks.
Also, check to see if your bank has a coin machine. Most of the time these are free for bank members- meaning you get the CoinStar experience, without the huge fees. Be sure to check your bank’s rules before you dump those coins though, I do know Citibank charges fees in some states!